Step into the magical world of PLAYFUL!

Playful: Fun Projects to Make With + For Kids

I’ve been dying to share so much more of Playful: Fun Projects to Make With + For Kids with all of you and the day has finally come that I can! Yipee!!

Let’s start with this dreamy book trailer, shall we? I’m so enamoured with the magical work of Jenner Brown, videographer behind this Playful book trailer (and videographer for my Kids Craft Camp). This mini film takes me back to my own imaginative childhood – touching on how I saw the world to be and the way I wanted things to feel and sound like. I love how the music builds and when you get to the knights fighting in the field, well let’s just say both Jon and I had to wipe our eyes a bit – yeah it got us good. I hope it inspires you and your little ones as much as it did us!

And as for the book itself, where do I start? This has truly been a dream come true. A magical dream laced with a whole lot of figurative blood, real sweat and perhaps even a few tears. But like all creative births it can’t come without a bit of taxing and sleepless nights right? When I set out to make this book over two years ago I had three visions. 1) To bring back the idea that yes we can make toys and create simple magic for our children today, just as our grandparents did. And that endeavor of doing so enriches and enlightens our familial and creative experiences. 2) To make something that would double as an inspirational lifestyle coffee table book of sorts – so the ineteriors and clothing would be just as enticing as the crafts. 3) to introduce simple, easy and loveable toys and crafts that would be fun to make from everyday supplies that would then inspire imagination and playfulness.

The book is divided up into 5 catergories:

Playful Paper Crafts

PlayfulTigerPinatabyMerMag

PlayfulPuppetsbyMerMag

PlayfulCrownsB

PlayfulPaperPlateMasksbyMerMag

Playful Dress Up

PlayfulNightsbyMerMag

PlayfulFairMaidenbyMerMag

MerMagPlayfulWoodenNecklaces

PlayfulTwigCrownbyMerMag

Playful Toys

PlayfulVillage

PlayfulSquiggleTilesbyMerMagPlayfulWoodTiles

Playful Art

PlayfulFingerPrintArtbyMerMag

PlayfulFingerPrintArtbyMerMag1

Playful Repurposing

PlayfulDuctTapeShippingTrucksbyMerMagMerMagPlayfulBrownstonesPlayful Brownstones by MerMag

PlayfulBirdCostumebyMerMag

It was such a privleledge to work with some very talented individuals such as my editor Melanie Falick, Playful’s photographer Nicole Gerulat, designer Brooke Reynolds, stylists Meta Coleman and Brittany Watson Jepsen and more who all worked tirelessly on this book (we had some good late night loony sessions that would have you giggling on the floor!). We went for a Playful French, Scandi Modern vibe going for Playful and I love how everything turned out. I can’t wait to see what YOU come up with based on the toys and crafts in this book. And I do hope you share!! Please tag #playfullymade on any Instagram or Facebook posts, etc. when sharing your creations. I hope to have a well of creative projects made by you and your little ones that will inspire us all! Really any of these can be taken in so may different directions and I can’t wait to see what your touch might be!

Oh and don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY! Ends next week. I’m gifting one trapeze doll and one book to two lucky readers (individually but you could possibly win both)! You can enter on the previous post here or even enter here as well. Pin or repost on Facebook any of these images with the tag #playfultoysandcrafts for an extra entry!

PlayfulTrapezeDollGiveaway!

And if you’re in the Provo Utah area next week on Sept. 23 please do stop in the library for some crafty good fun as we celebrate the launch of Playful! Goodie bags to the first 35 guest, crafting, snacks, an adorable photoboth and more! Crafts and party sponsored by Astrobrights Paper and Scotch Duct Tape and the photobooth is sponsored by Nicole’s Classes. You can register here on Eventbrite if you like so we can get a better headcount (it’s free this is just to anticipate food needs, etc.). Hope to see you there!

Playful Party Book Launch

Get your own copy of Playful: Fun Projects to Make With + For Kids today anywhere books are sold online such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, STC Craft and in a bookstore near you.

 

September 23, 2014

RELATED POSTS

45 Comments

  1. Reply

    Jocelyn

    September 17, 2014

    I tried to watch the video but it said it was private.

    • Reply

      Merrilee

      September 17, 2014

      oh thanks for letting me know Jocelyn. It should be ok to view now. xo mer

  2. Reply

    Jocelyn

    September 17, 2014

    Thanks! Wow, such a lovely little film. It really brings the book to life! I just love your whole vision for every aspect of this project. So great.

  3. Reply

    Marta G. (A Bilingual Baby blog)

    September 17, 2014

    How wonderful! I’m going to share it on twitter! Marta

  4. Reply

    Terrah HAMILTON

    September 18, 2014

    Amazing imagination and creativity. Would LOVE to win!!!!! Sharing NOW!

  5. Reply

    cally cruze

    September 18, 2014

    wow merrilee. I am so excited for you, it’s beautiful.

  6. Reply

    Zanda

    September 19, 2014

    Mer, congratulations! Video are amazing and the book should be too! Need to get one too.

  7. Reply

    Pysselbolaget

    September 19, 2014

    Everything you do is beautiful! Congratulations on a fantastic book. Can’t wait to see the rest of it!

    All the best from Sweden

    • Reply

      Merrilee

      September 19, 2014

      Oh thank you so much!! xo Mer

  8. Reply

    Jennifer

    September 22, 2014

    Mer, it’s so beautiful. You should be so proud! If I don’t win a trapeze doll or the book I am definitely going to need to make one of my own for my girls. Everything you do is magical and full of wonder. Every home would be lucky to have a little more Mer magic. xo

  9. Reply

    molly ruth

    September 23, 2014

    that video gave me chills. you are really so talented merrilee. so happy to follow you along on this creative journey! congratulations on the completion of the book- what an accomplishment indeed. cheers to you!!

    • Reply

      Merrilee

      September 24, 2014

      oh thank you Molly! I know i get chills with that video too! xo Mer

  10. Reply

    ime rože

    September 23, 2014

    I am a big fan of your blog, your creativity and all ideas. Fantastic bog, beautiful and cude trapeze doll. Congratulations!

  11. Reply

    Sharlene

    September 29, 2014

    These are such lovely ideas. So many fun things for children!

  12. Reply

    Kelly

    October 31, 2014

    So inspirational and beautiful!

  13. Reply

    Muriel

    March 25, 2015

    Everything on here is just stunning. Beautiful photography and what great creative ideas. Well done!

    • Reply

      Merrilee

      March 25, 2015

      Thank you Muriel! xo Mer

  14. Reply

    cards chennai|wedding cards in chennai|cheap and best wedding cards in chennai|wedding cards shop chennai|wedding cards design with price in chennai|wedding cards at chennai|best wedding cards in chennai|creative wedding cards chennai|wedding cards shops

    September 18, 2015

    I am really impressed along with your writing talents and also with the format for your blog. Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it your self? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to peer a nice weblog like this one these days..

  15. Reply

    Pay day Loans in Singapore

    September 28, 2015

    It’s nice trailer and truely magical world.Thanks for letting me know.Well and Nice Photos

  16. Reply

    Julie

    October 13, 2015

    super blog, agréable !! Merci

  17. Reply

    voter id online chennai

    April 6, 2016

    I totally agreed with your thought. it’s nice done in the trailer. Amazing it’s

LEAVE A COMMENT

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.